Braithwaite and Ericsson

1830. Locomotive 'King William IV'.

Braithwaite and Ericsson of New Road, London and Liverpool(?)

1818 John Braithwaite, the elder died and left the engineering business to his sons John and Francis; the firm became J. Braithwaite and Co.

1823 Francis died; John Braithwaite carried on the business alone, having inherited a large connection with the London brewers, distillers, water-works companies, and being engaged in the manufacture of pumps, sinking wells, etc.

1827 John Ericsson, a Swedish engineer, became associated with the company and the name became known as Braithwaite and Ericsson.

1829 Between them and Charles Fox they designed the Novelty that took part in the Rainhill Trials.

1830 April. Patent. 'Messrs. Braithwaite and Ericsson, of New Road, London, for improved method of obtaining salt'

1830 Built two engines: William the Fourth and Queen Adelaide for the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway but the engines arrived too late to take part in the ceremony; they were inefficient and were not retained by the railway

1831 'It appears from the Mechanics' Magazine this month, that the two steam-carriages of Messrs. Braithwaite and Ericsson (named after their Majesties, the William the fourth and the Adelaide), about which there was so much talk a few months ago, are likely to realise at last all the expectations formed of them. The delay occasioned in their appearance on the railway has arisen from certain repairs that were rendered necessary by two serious accidents which happened to them; one fell over a bank and the other fell from the chains by which it was the act of being lifted from a canal barge. The William was tried the 15th and 17th inst. on the Liverpool Railway; and it would seem with great success....'. However ....

1831 'A contract had been entered into by Messrs Braithwaite and Ericsson, with the directors of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, to construct two engines, each of which should be capable of conveying forty tons from Liverpool to Manchester in two hours, with a consumption of coke not exceeding half a pound per ton per mile. Their engines were to have been delivered to the railway company some months ago; but, after repeated trials, being found incapable of performing the work contracted for, very extensive alterations were made in them at Liverpool, one of which was the addition of a separate cylinder, for the purpose of working the exhausting fan.- These alterations having been completed, the engine, called William the Fourth, was on Friday again brought out for trial. Being loaded with forty tons (gross weight), she started a few minutes after ten o'clock, and, after travelling two hours at the rate of five miles an hour, was in consequence left at a siding near Messrs Bourne and Robinson's colliery at Rainhill, and the goods brought forward to Manchester by Mr Stephenson's engine the Northumbrian.'

1832 'Messrs. Braithwaite have just completed a steam fire-engine for the King of Prussia, to be used both as a protection against fire, and for supplying the upper parts Berlin with water. The engine will throw ninety tons per hour a perpendicular height one hundred and twenty feet. It can be drawn by four horses.'

1832 'MESSRS: BRAITHWAITE'S STEAM ENGINE.— We have been favoured with an inspection of this machine, and, to the eye of one accustomed to mechanical arrangements, it presents an agreeable assemblage of lines and forms; it is calculated to act up to 15 horse power. The pressure is high, being at the rate of 45 to 65lbs. per cubic inch. The parts are so accurately fitted, that its whole force can be brought into action in 20 minutes. The piston makes 15 to 25 strokes per minute; and it requires 90 tons of water per hour to supply the four jets, from which this immense body of water is projected to the distance of 120 feet perpendicular, or 140 feet range, the jet being elevated in the latter case to an angle of 45 degrees ; the bore of each jet can be varied from three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a half, according to circumstances. The whole machine weighs rather more than four tons, but is so well hung that four horses can draw it with great velocity ; another advantage is that it produces no smoke whatever, coke being the fuel, and in preference to coal. This singular piece of mechanism is ordered by the Prussian government, to be used for raising water to the higher parts of a city, as well as for the purposes of safety against fire. There is not a particle of wood in its construction, being entirely composed of iron, brass, and copper, put together in a most workman-like manner; the whole expense of the engine to the Prussian government is 1200l., as it stands. It will be packed up at the Regent's-park basin in a few days, for transmission to Berlin.'

1832 'DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT MESSRS. BRAITHWAITE'S IRON-FOUNDRY.— SIX MEN BURNT.— On Saturday morning, between ten and eleven o'clock, a dreadful accident occurred at Messrs. BRAITHWAITE'S extensive iron-foundry and engineering manufactory, Brook-street, New-road, Fitzroy-square. It appears from the statement of JOHN COLEMAN, one of the unfortunate sufferers, that himself and five other brother workmen, were engaged in removing a quantity of metal, with ladles, from out of a large iron melting-pot, containing nearly half a ton of boiling metal, when, melancholy to relate, at the moment they were all engaged in discharging it, the melting-pot suddenly burst, and the boiling metal flew over their persons, burning them in all parts in a shocking manner. Their dreadful situation soon brought immediate assistance to them, and the poor sufferers were removed from out of their perilous situation. Some of them were removed to their residences, and others to the Middlesex Hospital. We are happy to state, that not any of the unfortunate sufferers are considered at present in imminent danger. The utmost praise is due to the unfortunate men's employers, in rendering and procuring every possible relief that was in their power.'

1833-38 At least 14 locomotives made for American railroads.

1834 John Braithwaite left the company to concentrate on civil engineering, particularly for the Eastern Counties Railway where he later became chief engineer; he was succeeded by his brother Frederick

Ca.1836 The company became Braithwaite, Milner and Co.

Engines

• Braithwaite and Ericsson: William the Fourth
• Braithwaite and Ericsson: Queen Adelaide
• Braithwaite and Ericsson: Novelty

See Also

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Sources of Information

• British Steam Locomotive Builders by James W. Lowe. Published in 1975. ISBN 0-905100-816